title: Obesity and body fat distribution: ethnic differences and the role of socio-economic status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates differences in overweight and body fat distribution between Turkish and Moroccan migrants and the ethnic Dutch population, and the contribution of socio-economic status to their higher obesity prevalence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected as part of a general health survey, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2004). From 1,285 adults information on physical and psychological health, lifestyle and demographic background was obtained through health interviews. In a physical examination body height and weight as well as waist and hip circumference were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overweight was more common among Turkish migrants and Moroccan migrant women as compared to their Dutch counterparts. Obesity prevalence rates were more than twice as high among Turkish (39.6%) and Moroccan (39.1%) women than among Dutch women (16.5%). Controlling for level of education and unemployment attenuated ethnic differences in overweight. Abdominal obesity was more common among Turkish and Moroccan than among Dutch women. After controlling for BMI, migrant men had a relatively low waist circumference compared to Dutch men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overweight is relatively common among Turkish and Moroccan migrants, especially women. Education and employment are relevant in explaining ethnic differences in overweight. Compared to Dutch men, migrant men seem to have a more favourable fat distribution with less abdominal fat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. jujcic@ggd.amsterdam.nl
authors.forename: Joanne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ujcic-Voortman
authors.forename: Griët
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Baan
authors.forename: Arnoud P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Verhoeff
authors.forename: Jacob C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Seidell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000208:ethnology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D055815:Young Adult